Page 31 of Lifeblood

I was pretty sure that wasn’t directed at me, but I couldn’t see who—orwhat—had me in their grasp.

The hands pulled me again toward the courtyard wall, where it appeared ivy and other vines had broken through brick, creating a hole just large enough to steal me through.

I fought against the hands binding me, even raised my own hands to try finding an angle to blind whoever orwhatevermight have me. But without knowing where their eyes were—and if they even had eyes, since plants didn’t and plants had also attacked us—I wasn’t sure how much good it’d do.

Lance charged forward. His eyes glowed silver, his skin shimmering like a rainbow in the low sunlight. Magic built at his hands and up along his arms. “If you’re to betray me, let me show you how it’s done.” He raised his closed fists into the air, and suddenly, it appeared as though several Lances were now standing around him.

The doubles moved in unison with him, lurching forward to attack as one and surround me and my assailants. What could he see that I couldn’t?

I tried to shrink away out of instinct, but Lance and his doubles clashed with my assailants in front of me. I was thrown to the side, but I wasn’t sure by who. Now free while they fought, I crawled on hands and knees for freedom, only to be met with more attacking plants. Only this time, I saw fireflies zipthroughthem. Like they weren’t there at all.

My brow furrowed as the bush before me appeared to rear back for an attack. I lifted my hands and flooded the space with light magic. It sifted through the area as the sounds of Lance’s clash with our attackers echoed through the courtyard, revealing a man with pointed ears and bright, golden eyes.

A fae.

Illusions.These weren’t actual plants but illusions. Which meant these fae attackers were from Lance’s court.

Anotherrogue attack?

“Bitch!” the fae squealed as he slammed his eyes shut. He lurched forward, but I easily dodged the attack and brought my fist right into his gut. He was my height, but he doubled over anyway, breath gone from his lungs. I grabbed on to his head and slammed it down into my knee. The fae fell to the ground unconscious.

I turned to see Lance and his doubles making quick work of the other attackers. They’d been piled up by Lance’s doubles as they’d fallen, a group now four deep. The three who’d attacked me, I guessed, and one more. Lance dispatched of the last ones and then turned to study the pile of traitors before him.

“I don’t understand,” he said, more than a little breathless. Not from the exertion, I thought, but the surprise. “This palace is protected.”

“And yet two attacks in the same day.” Not that pointing it out would do us any favors. “Were they your subjects?”

Lance nodded as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “They were of the Court of Illusion, yes. But attacking here, where we’re keeping you, attackingme…”

He trailed off as we both surveyed the damage to the courtyard. Half the plants and grass were now torn up.

“Gareth is going to have a cow,” Lance commented and then he allowed himself a little chuckle at that. “Or eat one whole. I’m not sure which.”

Lance smiled at me and I allowed myself the momentary relief before saying, “What are the odds of two of your courts attacking on the same day, right after an announcement about me?”

“Slim to none,” Lance replied. “There’s more going on.Ourcourts wouldn’t do this. Especially now.”

“Unless someone wants immorality,” I argued. “Or many someones.” My blood wouldn’t go far if spread all at once, but not everyone was as smart as the demon kings.

He nodded, then his eyes widened, as if he, too, was thinking of my silver blood. “Are you hurt at all?”

“No, barely a scratch.” Although the bruises tomorrow morning might be impressive. “Are you?”

Lance shook his head, but his expression told me he was miles away, mentally. “This wasn’t my court.”

My brow furrowed. “You just said—”

“I know.”

“So?”

Lance glanced slowly around the courtyard, studying every inch. “Wraiths this morning. Illusory fae now. No, our courts wouldn’t do this. Even for a chance at your blood. This washercourt.”

“Morgan le Fay?” I asked.

“Yes. Defectors of ours have joined her over the years. Plus, all the women who’ve come and gone to her. She’s going to try taking you from us.” Lance’s jaw locked as he said the last words. “I can’t let that happen.”

He began to storm away toward the palace doors, but I reached for his arm.

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